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How to Make an Instrumental Track

Instrumental tracks are songs meant to be enjoyed without lyrics or tracks meant to be used by a vocalist to practice singing with. There are many ways to create instrumental tracks, but typically one or musicians play use either a professional recording studio or a small home recording device to create instrumental tracks.

Things You'll Need

  • 4- or 8-track recorder Microphone Guitar Bass Drums or drum machine
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a 4- or 8-track recorder to record your instrumental track, depending upon how complex the track will be. A 4-track is sufficient for two guitars (or one guitar and piano), bass and drums, but it doesn't leave you much room for anything else. Using a drum machine will free up a track, since you can record the drum machine while you play another instrument, fitting both instruments on a single track. Likewise, if you have another musician available, you can combine instruments on a single track by playing together. Leave an open track for mixing down the tracks. If you can afford a slight increase in price, go with an 8-track machine.

    • 2

      Lay the drum track down first, which will help you establish the timing and rhythm of your instrumental track as you play the rest of the instrument parts.

    • 3

      Play the rhythm guitar part next, placing it on a track by itself.

    • 4

      Add your bass guitar to the mix on its own track next. If the bass guitar part is more prominent than the rhythm guitar track, consider playing the bass first.

    • 5

      Add a lead guitar part. Since this is an instrumental, the lead guitar part may be a melody that will take the place of a vocal, most noted in the style of Joe Satriani's melodic instrumentals, especially on his "Surfing with the Alien" album.

    • 6

      Mix all of your separate instrumental tracks down to a single track until your instrumental has the balance of tones you want. Your 8-track recorder will most likely have adjustment capabilities for sound levels and bass and treble properties. Some higher-end models will even allow you to add special effects to your musical track.

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